Mama Naomi is RetiringJune 2019
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News Articles
Congratulations, Mama! Your remarkable dedication to our students, school and community is deeply inspiring.
www.berkeleyside.com/2019/05/14/mama-washington-who-brought-west-african-dance-to-thousands-of-her-children-at-berkeley-high-retires?fbclid=IwAR0SLfp6a5RvkAvEiY2--414SjyThyprAlUaCjPWWo6f89y-Nvyn1e2AR4A
'Mama Washington' Directs Last Afro-Haitian Dance Performance; Honored with City of Berkeley Proclamation
Berkeley High’s Naomi Diouf, fondly known as “Mama Washington,” was lauded in a City of Berkeley Proclamation, “In Honor of Mama Washington,” issued on Thursday, May 16, by Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin.
The upcoming retirement of Ms. Diouf, teacher of African/Haitian dance and chair of the African American Studies Department, has prompted an outpouring of fond tributes recognizing her three decades of teaching and leadership making the school dance program what it is today.The City Proclamation says in part, “Mama Washington has dedicated her life’s work to the preservation, education, and appreciation of traditional West African music, dance and theater, enriching the cultural fabric of our city, our community and our world.”
According to Mama Washington, the word “retirement” doesn’t accurately capture her plans. “I know I’m leaving a great part of my life,” she said, “But I’m not retiring, I’m transitioning into my next stage of life. That’s the African tradition — everyone goes through stages.”
Video of performances: Part 1, Part 2
Berkeley Unified School District | 2020 Bonar Street | 510-644-8764 | www.berkeleyschools.net
Congratulations, Mama! Your remarkable dedication to our students, school and community is deeply inspiring.
www.berkeleyside.com/2019/05/14/mama-washington-who-brought-west-african-dance-to-thousands-of-her-children-at-berkeley-high-retires?fbclid=IwAR0SLfp6a5RvkAvEiY2--414SjyThyprAlUaCjPWWo6f89y-Nvyn1e2AR4A
'Mama Washington' Directs Last Afro-Haitian Dance Performance; Honored with City of Berkeley Proclamation
Berkeley High’s Naomi Diouf, fondly known as “Mama Washington,” was lauded in a City of Berkeley Proclamation, “In Honor of Mama Washington,” issued on Thursday, May 16, by Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin.
The upcoming retirement of Ms. Diouf, teacher of African/Haitian dance and chair of the African American Studies Department, has prompted an outpouring of fond tributes recognizing her three decades of teaching and leadership making the school dance program what it is today.The City Proclamation says in part, “Mama Washington has dedicated her life’s work to the preservation, education, and appreciation of traditional West African music, dance and theater, enriching the cultural fabric of our city, our community and our world.”
According to Mama Washington, the word “retirement” doesn’t accurately capture her plans. “I know I’m leaving a great part of my life,” she said, “But I’m not retiring, I’m transitioning into my next stage of life. That’s the African tradition — everyone goes through stages.”
Video of performances: Part 1, Part 2
Berkeley Unified School District | 2020 Bonar Street | 510-644-8764 | www.berkeleyschools.net
